Extracts and lignans of Schisandra chinensis fruit alter lipid and glucose metabolism in vivo and in vitro

• Schisandra chinensis fruit extract (SZD) decreases serum/hepatic lipids.
• SZD upregulates PPARα and AMPK and downregulates SREBPs.
• Lignans are the major contributor to lipid-lowering activity of SZD.
• Schisandrin C is potent in decreasing TC and TG levels in both HepG2 hepatocytes and Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidaemic mice.

The antihyperlipidaemic effect and potential mechanisms of Schisandra chinensis fruit extract were investigated in hamsters fed with a high-fat diet. Treating with SF extract significantly decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alleviated insulin resistance, attenuated inflammation and declined liver lipid accumulation. The expression and activities of key lipid-metabolic regulators were altered to the lipid-lowering side. Screening of different fractions of SF extract for lipid-lowering activities revealed that the lignan-rich fraction was the most effective. Eight abundant lignans were isolated from the major active fraction of SF extract, in which schisandrols A, B and schisandrins B, C showed significant lipid-lowering effects in HepG2 cells, and schisandrin C was potent in decreasing the blood lipids in Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidaemic mice. Overall, these results indicated that the extract and lignans in SF were effective regulators of lipogenesis and could be useful for treating hyperlipidaemia.